For some, they are even worse.
Which is why Sunday’s Vietnam Veterans Day Commemorative Service, at the Memorial Gardens at Moama RSL, is such an important community event, RSL sub-branch president Ken Jones says.
Himself a Vietnam vet, Mr Jones says the trauma of a war which the country did not want, and which for so long did not support, has played a significant role in the ongoing isolation, even rejection, felt by many veterans.
He says the troops and support staff who did serve in Vietnam did not create the problem, and in the end were not the solution, but they were Australians in uniform who did their duty as ordered.
“In the emotion and politics of the time, through the 1960s and into the early 1970s, it was the poor old soldiers who became the political punching bag in many ways,” Mr Jones said.
“There were no ticker tape parades for Vietnam veterans, many of them were flown home after dark to avoid public scrutiny,” he says.
“Lifted out of one war zone and hours later dropped into another — it was incredibly disruptive, and the damage has lasted a long time.
“That’s why the ongoing, and increasing, support of the public is so important to our veterans and that’s why Moama RSL goes out of its way to make sure this is a relaxed, but dignified and welcoming thank you for every veteran who is able to attend.”
Mr Jones says with the end of World War II now almost 70 years ago, Vietnam veterans had become the frontline of remembrance for Australia’s military and for Australia.
He says like the original ANZACs, who have faded into history, time marches on longer than any army or soldier.
“That’s the other big reason we must do more to remember our veterans while they are still here with us,” Mr Jones said.
“Each in their way, sadly each who has died doing that service, have helped make Australia what it is today — and if that isn’t worth saying thank you, I don’t know what is,” he says.
“That’s why everyone is invited to join us on Sunday morning, and I hope to see them there.”
Speakers will include the Victorian Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, who will give a brief overview of his joint program with the Moama RSL sub-branch to send local students to walk the Kokoda Trail to maintain the link with Australia’s military history.
The Moama RSL Vietnam Veterans Day Commemorative Service starts at 11am on Sunday, August 18, and will be followed by morning tea in the Fromelles Room.
